From Sarkaghat to NIT Hamirpur: How RKIS Students Cracked One of India's Top Engineering Colleges

The Achievement That Changed Perceptions

In 2023, two students from R.K. International School in Sarkaghat secured admission to NIT Hamirpur — one of India's premier National Institutes of Technology. For a school in a small town in Mandi district, this wasn't just an achievement. It was a statement.

NIT Hamirpur accepts students through JEE Mains, one of the most competitive engineering entrance exams in the country. Lakhs of students prepare — many at expensive coaching centres in cities like Kota, Delhi, and Chandigarh. Yet two students from RKIS made the cut while studying in their own school, in their own town, without the disruption of relocating for coaching.

The ALC Advantage

The students' preparation was anchored in RKIS's Advance Learning Classes (ALC) programme. Unlike traditional coaching, ALC doesn't pull students out of their regular school life. Instead, it integrates competitive exam preparation with CBSE academics — so students build both board exam competence and JEE-level problem-solving skills simultaneously.

The ALC approach works because it respects a fundamental truth: students perform best when they're not exhausted, not homesick, and not sacrificing their overall development for a single exam. Our NIT-selected students continued playing sports, participated in school events, and maintained a balanced daily routine — waking at 6 AM, attending classes, playing in the afternoon, and studying in supervised evening sessions.

What the School Environment Contributed

Talent alone doesn't crack JEE. Environment matters. At RKIS, the residential programme provided several advantages that no coaching centre can offer.

Structured study hours. The 6:00–9:00 PM supervised study period, with faculty available for doubt-clearing, ensured consistent, focused preparation every single day. There were no "off days" or missed sessions.

Peer motivation. When your roommates are also preparing for competitive exams, the collective energy keeps everyone on track. The NIT-selected students studied alongside peers preparing for NEET, Olympiads, and NDA — each group pushing the others forward.

Physical and mental wellbeing. Daily sports between 3:30–6:00 PM weren't a luxury — they were essential. The physical activity kept stress manageable and sharpened focus for evening study sessions.

Chirag Ranaut: Another Success Story

Beyond the NIT selections, RKIS also celebrates Chirag Ranaut, who achieved a JEE Mains score of 83.9 percentile and secured admission to IISER (Indian Institute of Science Education and Research) — one of India's most prestigious research institutions. Chirag's journey through the RKIS system demonstrates that the school's academic foundation supports multiple pathways to excellence, not just engineering.

The Message for Parents

The Kota coaching model dominates the conversation around JEE preparation. But it comes with significant costs — financial, emotional, and developmental. Students as young as 14 leave home, live in high-pressure hostel environments, and often sacrifice everything else for a single exam.

RKIS offers a different model: prepare for competitive exams without sacrificing childhood. The NIT and IISER selections prove that this model works. Students can achieve top-level results while still playing cricket, performing in cultural events, and growing up in a supportive, balanced environment.

What the ALC Programme Includes

ALC runs from Class 6 through Class 12, covering JEE, NEET, Olympiad, NDA, and Navodaya preparation. The programme features weekly mock tests in competitive exam format, personalised feedback and doubt-clearing sessions, NCERT mastery alongside advanced problem-solving, and integration with the daily school schedule — no separate coaching hours that eat into sleep or recreation.

Want your child to prepare for India's top engineering and science institutions without leaving home? Learn about our ALC programme or contact admissions to discuss how RKIS can support your child's ambitions.